Object-projector.



No. 744,778. 7 PATENTBD NOV. 24, 1903. J'. MENGH-EN.

OBJECT PROJECTOR.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

IIM 7 1;,

I N l 9 WITNESS/IS; a [NI/'LNTOR. W ATTOR EV.

UNITED STATES latented November 24, 1903.

JOSEPH MENCHEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

OBJECT-PROJ ECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,778, dated November 24, 1903.

Application filed July 18 1903. Serial No. 166,189. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MENoHEN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 0bject-Animation Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to object-animation devices of that class wherein the representation of all objects capable of animation-such as birds, butterflies, and the like-may be projected on screens.

The object of the invention is to produce a device of this kind which is extremely simple in construction, embodying the fewest parts consistent with its successful operation,whieh may be quickly and positively thrown into and out of operation, and may be made to produce a great number of illusions or effects.

The device as herein described is designed for theater use; but it will be understood that it is equally applicable, wit-h or without modification, for other uses.

The invention consists,essentially, of adisk plate or other medium, preferably of translucent material, upon which the objects to be projected appear, (this disk being hereinafter called the picture-disk,) a second disk plate or medium having a broken, preferably corrugated or fluted, surface, (this disk being hereinafter called the animation disk,) means for actuating either or both disks, and other details of structure and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out with particularity in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of my application, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1- is a front elevational view of the invention; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view on line 0c of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a top plan View.

A in the drawings designates the picturedisk, B the animation-disk, and O a pin on which'A and B are concentrically mounted. It is desirable to inclose the disks, and for this purpose I provide a casing comprising the front plate D, rear plate E, and the circular walls F and G.

H is a reinforcing-ring on the interior of the wall G.

The pin 0 has a winged nut I at its end and passes centrally through the plates D and E and is mounted in bearings J between the plates D and E.

Any suitable means may be employed for actuating the disks, and in the drawings I have shown clockwork mechanism to accomplish this purpose.

K is a clockwork mounted by a lever L on the plate D. From K a short rod M, having a friction-wheel N, projects over the disk 13. The wheel N is adapted when the clockwork isin motion to rotate the disk 13. O is asec- 0nd clockwork mechanism, mounted by lever P on the plate D. A short rod Q, having a friction-wheel R at its end, projects over the picture-disk A and is normally in contact therewith. hen the clockwork O is in motion, the wheel It is adapted to rotate the picture-disks. Springs S and T hold the levers L and P to the plate D.

The plate E contains an opening through which the light from a lamp (not shown) strikes.

U is a collar about the light-ad mitting opening for securing the projector to the lamp. 7

On the front plate D is the lens-opening V, near which condensers, such as lanterns, may be mounted and which may be closed by a shutter N. If desired, I may supply one or more such lens-openings on the plate D. As the number of lens-openings employed is increased the number of objects which maybe projected on the screen is increased.

The operation of the invention is as follows: Assume the picture-disk to be painted with butterflies, as shown in the drawings. By releasing the clutch X of the clockwork O the friction-wheel R will rotate and turn the picture-disk A. As the butterflies pass the lensopening they will be given the appearance of gently sailing through the air by the corrugated disk B, and thus projected on the screen. If the disk B is now rotated in the same direction as the disk A, the butterflies will be given the appearance of rapidly flying. Reversing the motion of the animationdisk will appear to reverse the direction of motion of the butterflies.

While in this specification I have referred to the disks being rotatory, it will be understood that this is merely the preferred form and that it is within the scope of my invention to give the disks a vertical, lateral, or other motion to produce the desired effect.

I do not wish to be limited to the arrangement of disks shown in the drawings. In practice I have found that the animation-disk may be placed in front of or to the rear of the picture-disk or that it may be placed entirely outside of the condensers; but the best results are obtained by the form shown in the drawings, wherein the picture-disk is placed to the rear of the animation-disk and the latter is near the condensers.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An objectanimation device consistingof a picture-disk, an animation-disk and means for actuating either of said disks independently of the other, substantially as described.

2. An object-animation device consisting of a picture-disk and an animation-disk, mounted concentrically and means for actuating said disks, substantially as described.

3. An object-projector consisting of a picture-disk, and an animation-disk to the front of the picture-disk, and means for actuating either of said disks independently of the other, substantially as described.

4. An object-projector consisting of a picture-disk of translucent material and an animation -disk having a broken surface and means for actuating either of the said disks independently of the other, substantially as described.

5. An object-projector comprising the combination of a picture-disk, an animation-disk, a casing for inclosing said disks and means for actuating the same, substantially as described.

6. In an object-projector means for actuating the disks comprising the combination of clockwork mechanism, a rod projecting therefrom and a friction-wheel mounted on said rod, substantially as described.

7. An object-projector comprising the combination of a casing, a picture-disk and an animation-disk mounted concentrically therein, means for rotating the picture-disk, independent means for rotating the animationdisk, an opening in the rear of the casing for admitting light to said disks and a lens-opening in the front of said casing through which the objects are projected, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH MENOIIEN.

Witnesses:

FRED A. BATES, A. H. l-IAWKES. 

